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Most of us know about this being qualifying week for many offices such as School Board and City Commission.

What most of us do not know is that this is also the week that people qualify to be precinct – also known as neighborhood – committeewomen and committeemen for the Leon County Democratic and Republican parties.

This event only occurs once every four years, so if you want a say in changing your major political party, this week is the time to qualify.

First, you have to complete the precinct qualifying form. You can download it or pick one up at the Leon County Supervisor of Elections Office, 315 S. Calhoun St., Suite 110. Fill out the one that says “Candidate Oath For Precinct Committeemen And Committeewomen.”

There is no filing fee. You do not have to file any personal financial disclosure information. You do not have to file any campaign contribution or expenditure reports.

In many instances, you will be elected without opposition because few people know to qualify and many county committees throughout Florida do not aggressively recruit newcomers.

However, if another person in your precinct qualifies, then it is possible your name will appear on the Aug. 30 primary ballot only in your precinct. The top male and female vote getters win.

If you qualify and win, in December you will take office, meet with all the other neighborhood winners throughout the county and elect county officers.

Now that you know how to qualify, why should you?

Many Republicans and Democrats during the presidential primaries and caucuses complained about how the process was unfair, rigged, chaotic or not understood.

The election of the national Democratic and Republican party chairs starts with these precinct elections. Eventually, the party will elect county, state and national representatives who pick the national chairs.

If you want to reform your political party, then you need to qualify for a precinct committeewoman or committeeman position.

If you are elected you could do the following:

• Recruit and support candidates for public office

• Network with others to reform your political party

• Potentially endorse candidates for public office

• Take positions on matters of importance to your party here in Leon County

• Reform the party by changing the primary system so not only your party members can vote in the primary but non-partisan voters can as well.

Another advantage of party participation is that the county party chairs, state party chairs and national party chairs are recognized by the media as major political players.

If you decide not to qualify, then any party reform you wish will not occur over the next four years, because the next election for these positions is in 2020.

Remember, your form must be submitted to the Supervisor of Elections by noon on Friday. If you are a minute late, you are out of luck.

Jon M. Ausman is the longest serving member of the Democratic National Committee in Florida’s history. He is a notary and will happily notarize forms for those interested. He can be reached at ausman@embarqmail.com or at 850-321-7799.